Page 72 of Bound By Blood

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Kaitlyn was surprised to see her mother in the dining room in the morning. Usually, her mom and dad kept the same hours.

“Hi, Mom. What are you doing up so early?”

“Don’t you know what day it is?”

Kaitlyn looked at her mother blankly.

Elena shook her head. “Have you forgotten today is your birthday?”

“It is? It is! Oh my gosh, I can’t believe I forgot that!”

“Zack Ravenscroft must really have your head in the clouds.” Grinning, Elena hugged her daughter, young love, it’s a wonderful thing. Happy birthday, sweetie.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“Your dad and I are planning a party for you later tonight, but I wanted to spend today with you, just the two of us, like we used to. What would you like for breakfast?”

“Blueberry pancakes, bacon, and toast.” It had been her favorite breakfast ever since she was a little girl.

“Coming right up.”

Kaitlyn followed her mother into the kitchen. When she started to help, her mother shooed her away. “Not today. Just sit over there and watch.”

Rolling her eyes, Kaitlyn hopped up on the stool in the corner. “What kind of party?”

“Oh, the usual, you know. Balloons and presents and dancing under the stars.” Elena put the bacon in a pan, mixed the batter, and poured it on the griddle. When the pancakes and bacon were almost done, she dropped the bread into the toaster.

“At least let me set the table,” Kaitlyn said.

“Already done.” Elena placed everything on a tray and carried it into the dining room.

Kaitlyn trailed at her heels. “OH, Mom,” Kaitlyn said when she saw how her mother had decorated the room. “It’s lovely.”

A pink cloth covered the table. A crystal vase held a dozen roses. There were colorful balloons everywhere, a dress-up silver crown beside her plate.

Kaitlyn grinned when she saw the crown. Her mother had given her one every year for as long as she could remember. It wouldn’t be a birthday without it.

“Please, sit, Your Highness,” Elena said. She placed the tiara on Kaitlyn’s head. “The roses are from your father.”

“They’re beautiful.”

“Best eat those pancakes while they’re hot,” Elena said.

“Looks good, as always.” Kaitlyn helped herself to several pancakes, three strips of bacon, as well as a slice of buttered toast.

“Milk or orange juice?” Elena asked.

“OJ.”

“This is nice.” Taking a seat across from her daughter, Elena filled her own plate. “I’ve missed our mornings together.”

Kaitlyn nodded. When she lived at Wolfram, she adjusted her waking hours to the ones her father kept so she could spend time with her parents. In Tahoe, her hours had been erratic. Sometimes she adhered to mortal hours; sometimes she kept vampire hours. Especially after meeting Zack.

She smiled inwardly. Zack. She could hardly wait to see him.

“So, what do you want for your birthday?” Elena asked.

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